Social Worker Careers
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What Social Workers do:
Social workers are healthcare professionals who work closely with individuals to help them cope with issues that effect their every day lives. A social worker gives support and advice to individuals with relationship, family and other problems.
Social workers also help individuals who are facing unemployment or life threatening diseases, cope with their situation. Social Workers also work closely with families that have serious domestic problems, including violence, substance abuse, child and spousal abuse. Social Workers can work for family service groups, schools, state and local governments.
The main duties of a Social Worker Include:
- Providing social services to improve the well being of families and individuals
- Assisting young single parents cope with the stresses of raising a child
- Arrange for adoptions and find foster homes for neglected, abandoned and abused children
- Providing assistance to senior citizens
- Educating the families of Senior Citizens about the need for long term care
- Helping individuals cope with work related pressure
- Helping employees cope with personal issues that may affect their work
- Working closely with schools to ensure that students reach their potential
- Addressing truancy issues and advising teachers on how to deal with difficult students
Education & Qualifications:
Social workers can become qualified by successfully graduating from an accredited Bachelor's Degree in Social Work (BSW) program. Other social workers enter the field with degrees in sociology, psychology and other related majors.
A Master's Degree in Social Work (MSW) is becoming more common, and is required for positions in healthcare settings. Positions in Education such as University Teaching Appointments and Research Positions usually require a Doctorate (PhD) in social work. The Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) provides accreditation for Bachelor's, Master's and Doctoral Degree programs.
Salary & Job Prospects:
Salaries for Social Workers range from $25,000 to $65,000 depending on qualifications, experience, location and position held. The job prospects are excellent and expected to grow faster than the average job. Social workers specializing in Geriatrics are predicted to have the largest job growth. Social workers who specialize in substance abuse treatment are also expected to have good job growth.
Below is a list of some of the various types of allied health careers / professions: